Zechariah's song

An online Bible Study course by Barrie Wetherill about
the life of Jesus. This book is in EasyEnglish Level B. Use the links
below for other online Bible Study books and commentaries that will help you. Or
go to
the Word List, which explains words with a *star.

John the Baptist is born

Soon after this Elizabeth had her baby, John. The time came for
his *circumcision. And for his parent to give him a name. Then Zechariah was
able to speak again. His song (Luke 1:68-79) was also full of words from the
*prophets. Everybody knew about this (Luke 1:65). People asked each other
questions about John. They asked, 'What kind of man would he
be?' The Bible
tells us that the *Lord was with John from his birth (Luke 1:15, 66). In the
same way, the *Lord had been with Samuel.

God will free his people

The beginning of Zechariah’s song reminds us of words from the
time of the *Exodus. God used his very great power then to free his people.
Zechariah says that this will happen again. In his song he refers to the
‘horn’. (In the Bible a horn is a sign of power. Psalm 132 refers to a
horn.)

God will free his people from their enemies. This was not just a
desire to defeat the enemy. It was a cry from a holy man. He wanted to serve the
*Lord without fear. He wanted people to know this. God is good. Zechariah says
some things also about John.

Psalm 132:17, 18: Here I will make a horn grow for David.
I have chosen him as king. I will set up a lamp for him. I will bring shame on
his enemies. But I will give him a wonderful crown.

Luke 1:76, 77: And you, my child, will be a *prophet of
the Most High God. You will go first. You will prepare the way for the *Lord.
You will tell his people this: he will forgive them. He will rescue them.

God will forgive his people

The Jews will serve God. Zechariah’s song says this. They
will, at last, do right. They will be holy. They will be free when God forgives
them. He will forgive the wrong things that men do. Zechariah was not thinking
only about freedom from Roman rule. For many years, he had been
studying the *prophets!